Local Briefs: Clovis man arrested on burglary charges

Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a suspect in burglaries committed in Curry, Roosevelt Parmer and Bailey Counties Wednesday in Portales, according to a RCSO news release.

Curry County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Sandy Loomis observed a vehicle matching the description of one Curry County deputies had pursued on Sunday and began pursuit. Roosevelt County officers joined in and the suspect was arrested near Wal-Mart in Portales after a brief foot chase, according to the release.

Simon Billegas, 35, of Clovis, was arrested for charges including aggravated fleeing a police officer, aggravated assault, revoked driver’s license and theft. He is currently being held in Roosevelt County Detention Center without bond because of parole violations, according to RCSO Chief Deputy Mailin Parker.

Parker said he later interviewed Billegas, who he says confessed to a Roosevelt County burglary and gave him a location in Bailey County, Texas where stolen items were stored. A search warrant turned up items believed stolen in all four counties.

Items recovered include two ATVs, firearms, shop equipment and power and hand tools, according to the release.

Overpass construction started in Taiban
The New Mexico Department of Transportation began construction work Wednesday on the Taiban Bridge railroad overpass on U.S. 60/84, approximately 10 miles east of Fort Sumner, according to a NMDOT press release.

As part of the work, there will be temporary traffic signals, 12-foot lane width restrictions, and only one lane open to traffic through the work zone for the duration of the project, the release said. The traffic signals will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Working hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work is expected to finish late March 2008.

The estimated cost of work to replace bridge decks is more than $2.1 million.